I have a paint gelding that turned 25 this year. He has been completely retired from riding due to arthritis, but I don't want him to go completely stiff. My vet said to try a senior supplement and continue some light work in the arena. Any suggestions on a good quality supplement? I also have a 20 year old QH mare that I am going to go ahead and start on the supplement as well. Since I have begin taking in older horses on my farm, I need a supplement that is versatile for all horses.

Purnia Senior works well, but I'd have to recommend Triple Crown Senior because I love their complete feed so well, I can't imagine their senior not being awesome. It is a bit more than Purnia Senior, but the ingredients are better.

I love the Equine Senior as well. As he continues to age, you might also want to consider adding beet pulp, dampened high qality pelleted feed or dampened alfalfa cubes.

I kept a beloved old large pony with only three molars left in his mouth in good weight and healthy until 35 by feeding a combination of the Senior and the above.

I'm sorry, I just re-read the original post and realized you're asking about supplements, not feeds. No one supplement will be perfect for every horse on your place. Supplements that I have used with good results on stiff or arthritic horses include: Cosequin, Synovi-G and MSM with chondrotin.

I started out with Purina's Equine Senior and switched about a year ago to Triple crown senior. I've seen huge improvements in the change of feed (his poop was too runny with the equine senior). I think any supplement with Glucosomine would be good.

Great advice, everyone! I also have a senior QH gelding, 15 yrs., and recently my vet suggested a senior feed supplement. I checked out the different types on-line, and Triple Crown looks like the best one for Sunny's needs. He still eats hay, but isn't getting the full nutritional value, so started dropping weight. I plan on feeding hay with the supplement, and the Triple Crown website ( Triple Crown Nutrition - Senior Formula ) has the suggested amounts to use as supplement, and a lot of info on their products, more so than other manufacturers.

Put a small amount of alfalfa hay in their diet - very high quality hay - something above 160rfv. Alfalfa pellets are very often very cheap "grinding hay" and will not do what you want. The high end alfalfa will digest very easily and help maintain their weight without all the snake oil and mystery powders.

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